OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the vitamin D perception level in the treatment of osteoporosis of Korean postmenopausal women. METHODS: This study investigates the perception levels of 400 postmenopausal women aged 50 and over, vitamin D supplement administration, knowledge of vitamin D nutrition, consulting and information of vitamin D and the effect of media exposure during osteoporosis management. A descriptive survey design and a convenience sample of 400 female postmenopausal patients were used. Data were collected with a questionnaire and analysed. RESULTS: Sixty-two% of the patients took supplementary drugs in addition to prescribed main anti-osteoporotic medications. As supplementary drugs, most of them took calcium (57%) and this was twice the number of people taking vitamin D. For those who failed to take the recommended vitamin D or calcium regularly, seventy-eight% of them did not understand that it is important to take regularly. And this survey showed that people do not have enough knowledge on vitamin D compared to calcium. Patients thought that vitamin D is the third most important factor, next to calcium and exercise, for managing healthy and strong bones. Findings indicated that the women displayed a low level of perception and interests in vitamin D and the importance of vitamin D in the management of osteoporosis was assessed at lower than the truth. CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that the rates of vitamin D administration of Korean postmenopausal women in the management of osteoporosis is a low level because of a low level of perception of the importance of vitamin D. Therefore the education and the informations about vitamin D are contributable to the treatment of osteoporosis.
Calcium ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Osteoporosis* ; Surveys and Questionnaire ; Vitamin D* ; Vitamins*

OBJECTIVE: To analyze menstrual problems, as well as various factors that affect the PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and dysmenorrhea on Korean female teenagers. METHODS: We analyzed menstrual problems, PMS, and dysmenorrhea based on the survey answered by 400 high school girls (17~18 years old) from randomly chosen schools in Seoul. Final respondents to a questionnaire were 327 students. RESULTS: The prevalence of PMS was reported by 63.0 % (206 people), and dysmenorrhea by 78.3 % (256 people). PMS was strongly linked to dysmenorrhea (P=0.000). The severity of PMS was correlated with normality of menstrual duration (P=0.034) and familial history (P=0.012). In the case of dysmenorrhea, the presence of dysmenorrhea was significantly high among the group with two years after menarche (P=0.003). Also the severity was positively correlated with normality of menstrual duration (P=0.017) and familial history (P=0.000). PMS and dysmenorrhea have no correlation with body mass index. Although PMS had a correlation with depression (P=0.020), it was not related to dysmenorrhea. CONCLUSIONS: There was a correlation between PMS and dysmenorrhea. For PMS, it had a correlation with menstrual duration, familial history and depression. Dysmenorrhea was highly frequent among the group with two years after menarche. Though it was correlated with normal menstrual duration and familial history, it did not have any correlation with depression.
Adolescent ; Body Mass Index ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Depression ; Dysmenorrhea ; Female ; Humans ; Menarche ; Premenstrual Syndrome ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaire

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effectiveness of transvaginal radiofrequency myolysis of the patients with leiomyomas and the patients with adenomyosis which have similar clinical symptoms. METHODS: From May 2005 to May 2006 at Eulji university hospital, 108 women who were diagnosed of leiomyoma and adenomyosis had undergone transvaginal radiofrequency myolysis. Before and after the procedure size, number of uterine myomas, location and the volume of the leiomyomas and adenomyosis were measured by ultrasound. And on every visit after the procedure improvement of the symptom was checked by questionnaire of the symptom and life quality. Using Wilcoxon signed ranked test, the statistical significance was proved and the P value lower than 0.05 was judged to be significant. RESULTS: 76 women with leiomyoma who had undergone transvaginal radiofrequency myolysis, were followed up 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 9 months after the procedure. The average maximal diameter of the myoma was decreased by 14.6%, 23.3%, 30.6%, 33.6% respectively, and the average volume was decreased by 35.7%, 53.3%, 67.3%, 72.2% respectively. 32 women with adenomyosis who had undergone transvaginal radiofrequency myolysis were followed up, at the same period after the procedure. The average maximal diameter of the adenomyosis was decreased by 8.9%, 13.6%, 14.6%, 11.9% respectively, and the average volume was decreased by 22.6%, 30.0%, 32.3%, 28.4% respectively. Before and after the procedure the symptom score was 62.3, 52.2, 40.6, 32.6, 28.6 respectively, and the quality of life score was 68.9, 78.1, 82.9, 85.7, 87.3 respectively in the leiomyoma group. In the adenomyosis group, before and after the procedure the symptom score was 77.7, 37.6, 30.6, 54.4, 67.5 respectively, and the quality of life score was 48.1, 76.5, 85.5, 66.5, 55.1 respectively. CONCLUSION: Transvaginal radiofrequent myolysis had benefits in conserving the uterus, and was less invasive, and had great effect on the reducing the size of the leiomyoma and improving the symptoms, and also returning to normal life pattern was earlier. But in women with adenomyosis the symptoms were worsened after approximately 6 to 9 months after the procedure. Therefore additional research and follow-up is required and a strict criterion is needed.
Adenomyosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leiomyoma ; Myoma ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaire ; Uterus

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is to describe the experience of delivery training for medical students by using a birth simulator as an educational tool during obstetrical clinical clerkship. METHODS: Study participants were 35 third year medical students of K medical school in Seoul. We have developed birth simulation courses using the robot birth simulator (S555 Noelle(TM). Maternal Neonatal Simulation System. Gaumard scientific, Coral Gables, FL.). During 4 weeks clinical clerkship, clinical teacher gave 90 minutes delivery practice session to students by one-to-one basis with birth simulator. After 4 weeks clinical experience, clinical teacher assessed students' delivery performance using birth simulator. Also students completed self-reported questionnaires to assess satisfaction with the teaching process and their perceptions of the effectiveness of simulation practice. RESULTS: Most students ranked delivery training with birth simulator as an interesting and useful way of understanding labor process and getting skills in obstetrics. And they assessed that they had more confidence to perform a vaginal delivery after the training. CONCLUSION: Simulation training with birth simulator during obstetrical clinical clerkship is an effective way to bridge the gap between the theory and the practice and augment clinical experience.
Anthozoa ; Clinical Clerkship ; Humans ; Obstetrics ; Parturition ; Surveys and Questionnaire ; Schools, Medical ; Students, Medical

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical features of myoma, treatment options, patient preference and to identify the clinical features which affect the management of myoma. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of 577 patients who were diagnosed as uterine myoma on ultrasound exam between January 2006 and December 2006. Patients' characteristics, treatment methods and questionnaires for patient preference were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age was 42.3 years and 90.8% of the patients were premenopausal status. Common symptoms were pain (58.6%), bleeding (51.3%) and compression symptom (30.2%). In our study, 183 of 577 patients (31.7%) planned to have regular follow-up without treatment. Non-hormonal medical treatment was used in 27.1% and hormonal treatment was used in 41.9% of the patients. One hundred eighty-two patients underwent surgical treatment, including myomectomy (57.1%), subtotal hysterectomy (19.8%) and total hysterectomy (23.1%). Among the patients who underwent surgery, 50.6% of patients (88/174) had surgery due to compression symptom, 42.6% (126/296) due to bleeding, and 34.6% (117/338) due to pain. According to the 100 patients who answered the questionnaires, 78 patients preferred medical therapy initially, but 22 patients chose surgical treatment. When the patient was asked to choose between myomectomy and hysterectomy, 94 patients wanted myomectomy, but only 6 patients chose hysterectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Many patients diagnosed as myoma prefer medical treatment initially. Medical treatment for myoma may be considered as the first line treatment for pain and bleeding symptoms before proceeding to surgical treatment.
Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Medical Records ; Myoma ; Patient Preference ; Surveys and Questionnaire ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To study prevalence rate of HBsAg positive parturient women in Korea and compare different rates according to the locations of delivery. METHODS: Total 848 institutions which reported more than 100 deliveries during 2001, were included for this study. Designed questionnaire were used to study the numbers of HBsAg positive parturients and total deliveries. The survey was conducted by mail, telephone and visit. Total 279,734 deliveries (55.2% of estimated total deliveries) were obtained to complete the study. RESULTS: Prevalence rates of HBsAg positive parturient women in Korea were 3.23% and 3.3% in 2001 and 2002 respectively. Cheju area showed highest prevalence rates. Women delivering in urban area showed higher prevlance rate than those in rural area. CONCLUSION: Prevalence rates of HBsAg positive parturient women were 3.3% in 2001-2002 and the rates sustained around 3.5% since 1992 in Korea.
Female ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens* ; Humans ; Jeju-do ; Korea* ; Postal Service ; Prevalence* ; Surveys and Questionnaire ; Telephone

OBJECTIVE: Myoma is the most frequent benign tumor in women's pelvic cavity. Myoma causes a lot of symptoms that degrade the life quality of the patients. If the patient with leiomyoma does not require the treatment, regular follow-up is recommended. However, there is no definite method to predict the clinical outcome of leiomyoma patients. So we evaluate if the hormone receptors and vascular viability can predict the clinical outcomes in leiomyoma patients. METHODS: We perform the leiomyoma biopsy and ultrasonogram in leiomyoma patients who are symptomatic, premenopaused, and unnecessary to receive treatment. The patients were grouped into two as the results of progesterone receptor status of leiomyoma ; strong positive (> or = 75% positive to progesterone receptor), trace and negative (<25% positive to progesterone receptor). Also, we evaluates the vascular state and the resistance index (RI) of feeding arteries of myoma with doppler ultrasonogram. The severities of clinical symptoms are interpreted by using Uterine fibroid symptom and health-related quality of life questionnaire (UFS-QOL). RESULTS: After 8 months, the strong positive group shows the greater increasement of myoma volume than the trace and negative group. Also, the patient's symptoms and scores of life-quality decrease in strong positive group. In contrast, the trace and negative group show the improvement in clinical symptoms and life-quality. CONCLUSION: As a result, we concluded the status of hormonal receptor and feeding arteries can predict the clinical change of leiomyoma.
Arteries ; Biopsy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leiomyoma ; Myoma ; Progesterone ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaire ; Receptors, Progesterone

OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence of the depressive symptoms during pregnancy and the socio-demographic and obstetric factors associated with depression. METHODS: Two hundred five women who had received antenatal care at Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital from March 2008 to May 2008 completed the questionnaire related to socio-demographic characteristics and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Statistics were performed using chi-square test and Fisher's extract test (SPSS 12.0). Results were considered statistically significant for P-values<0.05. RESULTS: Of 205 pregnant women, the mean score of EPDS was 7.3+/-4.2.54 of 205 women (26.5%) scored more than 10 point which is the cutoff value to define depressive symptoms. The incidences of depressive symptoms were not significantly different by the trimester (25.7% vs. 29.0% vs. 25.0%, P<0.844). There were no significant socio-geographic factors associated with depressive symptoms. In cases of unexpected pregnancies, the incidence of depressive symptoms was significantly high (34.6% vs. 21.0%, P=0.036), and the women who have problems of previous pregnancies scored significantly higher EPDS (56.3% vs. 23.8%, P=0.014). CONCLUSION: This study was the first report about the depression symptoms during pregnancy. Based on this study, we have to focus on and manage depression symptoms related to pregnancy.
Depression ; Depression, Postpartum ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Surveys and Questionnaire

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is as follows; First, to assess knowledge regarding cervical cancer, HPV and the acceptance of HPV vaccination among girls in their late teens in Seoul, Korea. Second, to find out factors affecting the acceptance of HPV vaccination. METHOD: From November to December 2006, we surveyed Ewha Womans University freshmen and third year female students of Keumran High school affiliated with Ewha Womans University. A written questionnaire was sent to 310 students and 275 students responded. The questionnaire was divided into three sections that sought information about the followings : (1) Demographic characteristics; (2) Knowledge regarding cervical Pap smear testing and cervical cancer; (3) Knowledge regarding HPV and HPV vaccines. We scored the questionnaire giving one point for each correct answer. We summed up scores of knowledge on each section and compared the scores according to the acceptance of HPV vaccination in target group. RESULTS: The mean score of knowledge regarding cervical Pap smear testing and cervical cancer, HPV and HPV vaccines were 5.31+/-1.48 and 3.11+/-2.09, respectively. None of the demographic characteristics influenced the acceptance of HPV vaccine. The level of knowledge regarding HPV and HPV vaccines significantly affected the acceptance of HPV vaccine, however, knowledge regarding cervical Pap smear testing and cervical cancer did not. CONCLUSION: This study emphasize the need for further education regarding HPV infection and HPV vaccination for improvement in HPV vaccine acceptance.
Adolescent* ; Education ; Female* ; Humans* ; Korea* ; Papillomavirus Vaccines ; Surveys and Questionnaire ; Seoul ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms* ; Vaccination*

OBJECTIVE: It has been suggested that hysterectomy has a disturbing influence on bowel function, mainly constipation. We performed a prospective study to assess the changes of ano-rectal physiology after hysterectomy. METHODS: Fourteen consecutive patients were assessed before and two months after hysterectomy. A detail questionnaire was devised to allow assessment of bowel function and ano-rectal pressure test and balloon expulsion test were performed before and after hysterectomy. The parameters measured in ano-rectal pressure test included the minimal sensible volume, ano-rectal resting pressure, maximal squeezing pressure, recto-anal inhibitory reflex and balloon expulsion test. Data analysis was carried out by paired t-test. Statistical significance was inferred when the p value was<0.05. RESULTS: Among the fourteen patients, the straining in defecation was found in three patients after operation, other defication habits were not significantly changed after hysterectomy(P>0.05). There were no significant changes in ano-rectal pressure test after hysterectomy. The disturbance of balloon expulsion capacity was increased in four patients after hysterectomy(29%). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that hysterectomy does not cause a decrease in ano-rectal pressure and rectal sensitivity, but has an adverse effect on rectal expulsion capacity in a some of patients.
Constipation ; Defecation ; Humans ; Hysterectomy* ; Physiology ; Prospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaire ; Reflex ; Statistics as Topic